Cushion.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL HOGAN, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y., AND CHRISTIAN \VM. MEINEOKE, OF

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, YORK, N. Y.

ASSIGNORS TO MEINEOKE dz 00., OF NE\V CUSHION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,871, datedSeptember 17, 1901.

Application filed December 26, 1900. Serial No 41,122. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we,DANIEL HOGAN, residing at Manhattan borough, in thecounty and State of New York, and CHRISTIAN WIL- LIAM MEINECKE, residingat Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey,citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Cushions, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to the class of goods generally known asair-cushions, and by means of this invention the cushion is renderedcapable of being applied to various uses, as set forth in the followingspecification and claims and illustrated in the annexed drawings, inwhich Figure 1 shows a plan view of the cushion. Fig. 2 is a sectionalong as m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan View of a modification. Fig. 4 is asection along y y, Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 show a plan and sectional viewof another modification.

In the drawings is shown a cushion comprising sections a a, which whilebeing connected 2 5 at b are made independent of one another, so

as to be separably inflatable and deflatable. For example, by cementingthe walls of the cushion together at b or partitioning one section fromthe other, so that air cannot pass, 0 one section could be deflatedwhile the other is more or less inflated, or the sections could beequally or unequally inflated or charged, as required by an individualuser. When the air-tight partition or separation b is formed 3 5 bycementing together such parts of the cushion-Walls, these cohering partswill form a thinned or gutter-shaped portion or depression, and when thecushion isinflated this gutter at b will form a ventilator at the topand bottom of the cushion. This gutter is formed of sufficient width toavoid hurting or contact with the spinal part of the person or user. Theventilator or gutter is extended between the sections a from front torear. Between said sections is a hole or opening 0, shown preferably ofoval or oblong form, its longitudinal direction running from front torear of the cusion or in line with gutter b. The cushion is ventilatedboth at front and rear.

In Fig. 1 the cushion is shown formed with shanks which can separate orbe pulled apart at the front or free ends to provide front ventilat-ion.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, where the cushion is continuous allaround or formed without shanks, the front ventilation can be providedby means of a gutter or contraction I), forming a partition the same asat b. The cushion-sections can be made integral or non-separable ordetachably connected, Fig. 3, as by flaps b having any suitableconnectionssuch, for example, as lacing, clamp or glove fastening, orother uniting means. Each section having its nipple d can be inflated ordeflated as required. Under certain circumstances it may be desired tohave only one section inflated, in which case the deflated section beingdoubled onto the inflated section or swung over while the part b acts asa hinge, the cushion is brought into shape to be conveniently applied toa certain part as, for example, a slumber-roll-- or slipped under thearmpit or used as a pillow, leg-support, or the like. Both sectionsbeing deflated and doubled, the cushion can be compactly stored or putaside. Say the sections are separable. Then each section when inflatedand detached from the other can be put to use in manner similar to adoubled cushion with one section deflated. Should a patient be sittingon the opened sections, both being inflated, and because of soreness ata certain part or for other reason desire one section to be more orlessdeflated, the respective nipple or valve (1 of such section can beopened for the required easing or deflation without the patient removingor rising off the seat or cushion. The ventilation at front and rearprevents the irritating or heating effects objected to by some in re 0gard to rubber cushions. In case the sections are separable and onesection only is punctured or becomes unserviceable, only such defectivesection need be replaced, DlluF saving expense. cushions can be variedas may be desired without departing from the invention. The cushionshown in Fig. 5 could be easily hung, for example, over a chair-back,when one section of the cushion, hanging at the front face oo The shapeor outline of the of the chair-back, forms a slumber-roll, backrest, orsupport for a reclining person. The nipples d are practically placed outof line or not exactly opposite one another, so that when the cushion isdoubled the nipples do not strike or come to rest one on the other.

What We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A cushion comprising connected sections made independent of oneanother and separably inflatable and deflatable and having a hole oropening between the sections, said sections having an air-tightpartition or separation at said connection substantially as described.

2. A cushion comprising connected sections made independent of oneanother and separably inflatable and deflatable and having a hole oropening between the sections, the connection between the sections beingthinned or gutter-shaped to form a ventilator substantially asdescribed.

3. A cushion comprising connected separably inflatable and deflatablesections and a ventilator or gutter extended between the sections fromfront to rear substantially as described.

4. A cushion comprising connected separably inflatable and deflatablesections and a longitudinal hole and ventilating-gutter extended betweenthe sections from front to rear substantially as described.

5. A cushion comprising connected separably inflatable and deflatablesections and a hole extended longitudinally between the sections, saidcushion having ventilating means at front and rear substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

DANIEL HOGAN. CHRISTIAN WM. MEINECKE.

Witnesses:

W. C. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER.

